喷 pēn to spray
to spray; to blow; to puff; to spurt
How to remember 喷: 口 mouth + 卉 many plants + 贝 sea shell = to spray. The boy fills his mouth with water, creeps past mum's many plants and the big sea shell on the step and starts to spray his sister.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
喷 = 口 mouth + 贲 energetic
- 口 mouth meaning
- 贲 energetic sound
- 卉 many plants
- 贝 sea shell
The boy fills his mouth with water, creeps past mum's many plants and the big sea shell on the step and starts to spray his sister.
How it came to be
The mouth gives the meaning and the right part the sound; one old sense is to blow out through the nose.
How it is used
- To spurt/spray/gush out under pressure: 喷水 (pēn shuǐ) spray water, 喷泉 (pēnquán) fountain, 打喷嚏 (dǎ pēntì) sneeze.
- Distinguish 洒 (sǎ, to sprinkle/scatter): 喷 is a forceful jet, 洒 a light scatter. Internet slang 喷 = to spray criticism at someone.